Demonstration of energy-saving dehumidification in Ontario greenhouses (GRET)

Four dehumidification technologies were tested at three different facilities over a three year period: commercial mechanical refrigeration dehumidifier (MRD), chemical liquid desiccant dehumidifier (LDD), air-to-air heat recovery ventilation system (HRV), and finally a prototype called energy recovery ventilation (ERV), which is a combination of liquid desiccant approach (wet mode) and an air-to-air heat exchanger (dry mode). Overall, energy savings could be achieved, but the dehumidification systems controls needed. to be strategically integrated in the greenhouse computer control system logic in a manner that resulted in optimal performance in order for the savings to be significant. A method for in-house qir quality monitoring was developed using 3M Petrifilms, and showed a linear correlation with standard air quality testing methods.